Summer Layout : I Want To Play

I've been taking a bunch of summer photos since we've been home documenting how we are spending our days. For the kids that really means how they are spending their time outside. This past week it's been all about sprinklers and the slip-n-slide with the neighbor kids.

I'm procrastinating on working on anything related to our Italy trip. I look through the photos. I smile. I reminisce. I sigh. And then I feel overwhelmed and it moves farther down my list of projects to tackle. Sound familiar?

I'm ok with that for now. I'll let it simmer a bit longer and see what kind of inspiration evolves in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, specifically to record our summer memories, I've developed a super simple & versatile series of rounded corner layered templates. Great for mixing and matching.

The new template package includes ten 12x12 layered templates (six are shown on this preview) - all include a thin line frame like you see in my layout above - are available at Designer Digitals now.

LAYOUT JOURNALING : I want to play outside. With you. In the water. On the slip-n-slide. Can we have a snack? I want the neighbors to play. Can we have some ice cream? I want to play with the water guns. In the sprinkler. With you.

So much playing is going on around here this summer. With Anna more of a “little kid” this year she is in serious play mode meaning you have more of a built-in playmate than ever before. I think, just by how it’s going right now, that this is just going to get better for both of you. It’s awesome to have a sibling to run around with, to giggle with, to tickle, to hug, to jump, and to sing, and so many other fun things.

I want to play with legos. With swords. With lightsabers. Can we make funny ghost faces? Read me a story? Can we have a snack? Nap time. TV time. Rest time. And then do it all over again.

Jen

2010-07-16 05:53:11 -0400

My sister lived in England for 2 1/2 years. I made 5 trips in that time, all a week+, near to her home & other countries. I pushed through scbkg the 1st trip fairly soon after I was back. I can't say that I enjoyed the process too much. Between planning, taking, getting back to a full time job and recovering from a trip like that (not to mention 5 of them) I simply could not keep up with scpbkg ea trip. It was a blessing though because I'm still working on some of the trips 2 years later and loving it! It is like a little journey to Europe everytime I delve in for a layout or two. Waiting helped clarify what was most meaningful about the trip. Focus on summer (it will be gone soon) and let the rest brew for awhile. It will give us all something to look forward to! Can't wait for Sat's templates.

Jen

2010-07-16 05:53:14 -0400

My sister lived in England for 2 1/2 years. I made 5 trips in that time, all a week+, near to her home & other countries. I pushed through scbkg the 1st trip fairly soon after I was back. I can't say that I enjoyed the process too much. Between planning, taking, getting back to a full time job and recovering from a trip like that (not to mention 5 of them) I simply could not keep up with scpbkg ea trip. It was a blessing though because I'm still working on some of the trips 2 years later and loving it! It is like a little journey to Europe everytime I delve in for a layout or two. Waiting helped clarify what was most meaningful about the trip. Focus on summer (it will be gone soon) and let the rest brew for awhile. It will give us all something to look forward to! Can't wait for Sat's templates.

Amanda

Stacie

2010-07-16 08:18:00 -0400

Love this layout idea and thanks for making it available to us tomorrow! Curious...looks like it is all digital...is that so? and then you are just printing it out on 12x12 glossy...or sending off to be printed?
Just checking!

Judy Webb

2010-07-16 08:31:57 -0400

Would it be against your artistic core to try Becky's Project Life for your Italy photos. Seems like that system is designed for trips where the photos tell most of the story. Of course, her system has lots of journaling and memorabilia pockets.

taniawillis

2010-07-16 08:50:40 -0400

shhhhhhhh. don't tell anyone this, but that's exactly how i *still* feel about my week in the life photos.
OY!
two years in a row i've participated, but they never made it to an album.
but i'm okay with the words & photos. the memories are still there, they just are prettily embellished, LOL.

Susan Bowers

2010-07-16 08:56:14 -0400

Hey Ali,
Once again - inspiring. Love the digital layouts. Are you planning a 'summer' album or add a section to your other albums after printing them? I love the idea of a digital 'summer' book. The whole feel of it would be exhilirating just because it would be memories of a summer. Thanks for sharing.

Sarah

Cindy Sowell RN

2010-07-16 09:36:41 -0400

Hi Ali! I took my Dad to Europe in May 2010 for 3 weeks. It was AMAZING!!! We went to England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy (Cinque Terre, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Rome) and the Vatican City. I took over 20,000 photos!!! I am so excited to start my albums! I have the paper and all the Cha-Cha's but...I'm still procrastinating!!!! Do you have any ideas to motivate me? I want my albums to show how much I loved everything! It's really hard to scrapbook when I put so much expectation on them to be perfect! Thanks Ali! Cindy

lori

Sherry

2010-07-18 06:05:26 -0400

Hey Ali-
We also just got back from a long trip to Europe with lots of beautiful photos & memories, and in part inspired by you, I did the following: I sorted my digital photos into folders depending on what story I want to tell. As I went through and viewed, tweaked or deleted what I had captured on camera, I copied the photos I thought I might need to tell a specific story into a folder. Now I am in the process of writing down my impressions, listing important facts of the trip or jotting down a summary of whatever story I want to tell with my photos, and storing the journalling in the same folder. I am not going to worry about what my scrapbook(s) looks like or how it will be organized just yet. I do want to make sure I get all the details down before the memories start fading. I agree with you that the story + photos are the most important. Once I have that, then I can work on the project(s) as the year goes on. Some how this feels a lot less overwhelming. Good luck & I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Tere

2010-07-21 05:58:57 -0400

Love this!
I clicked on all the links for your supplies. They are all digital. Going to head over to make some purchases.
But question -- do you print out at home or send the 12x12 layout to be printed elsewhere?
Thanks for your inspiration!